Eurocopter, Turbomeca to Open Polish EC725 Assembly Lines

Eurocopter and Turbomeca have reached industrial cooperation agreements with Polish aviation maintenance company Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1) to open two full assembly lines in Poland.

The assembly lines will produce the EC725 Caracal and the Turbomeca Makila engines. Poland has a current tender for 70 new multi-role helicopters.

The agreements are in line with Eurocopter parent company EADS’ long-term strategy to develop Poland’s aviation capabilities, which started with the 2001 acquisition of long-standing Polish aviation manufacturer Warsawa-Okecie.

The multi-role 11-metric-ton-class EC725 Caracal is primarily used for military operations, including troop transport, rescue duties and logistics support.